The Happy Crowd: Once More for Old Times Sake

August 11, 2022

The Happy Crowd: Once More for Old Times Sake

If you have raised kids in Claremont, or anywhere nearby, there is a good chance you know of the Happy Crowd. They have been playing their happy songs to crowds of kids, young and old, for some thirty years. Their concerts / shows at Memorial Park were always a good excuse for the family to ride on down, let the kid run around with his friends, visit with some friends of our own, maybe even get to hear a few songs as well. Well, the Happy Crowd has decided to call it a day and tonight was their farewell show. By the time I got home from work, changed and rode down, the park was hoppin'. Though I couldn't see her at first, the mrs. was there, somewhere in that jumping, yelling, singing crowd; I knew she'd be up front (she may be the bands biggest fan) and sure enough there she was. The band was in the middle of their circle song, people circling around the small patch of grass on which they stood, and right there, twirling along with everyone else, the mrs.

For old times sake I stayed put for a couple songs, songs about circling about, and songs about recycling. Hai changed hats (if you've seen them, you'll know what I mean), but then it was time to go. Being so close to the Colleges, I figured I might as well do something I have not done all summer - ride around the Farm. Considering how frequently I used to do that as part of the Cross Town Loop, it almost seemed as if tonights' loop was for old times sake as well. It may still be summer break but the Pomona College football team was out running drills to the Dropkick Murphy's Shipping Up to Boston. Surprisingly the UC Berkeley mens soccer team was out on the practice pitch - seems they will be playing at UC Riverside tomorrow.

Anyway, it is not quite the weekend yet, but perhaps anytime is a good time for a reminder - there is always stuff to see out there, and you just have to get out on your bikes to see it .